The Labor enquirer., 1887-09-03
THE ksicHr rs or LABOR.
Preamble and Declaration OF Principles
OF This Great and Gr0win@
Order Of Working men.

The alarming development and aggressive
ness Of great capitalists and corporations, un-
less checked, will inevitably head to the
pauperization and hopeless degradation OF
the toiling masses.
II is imperative, II we desire to enjoy the
ull blessings Of life, that check be placed
upon unjust accumulation, and the power for
evil OF aggregated wealth.
This much-desired object can be accom-
plished only by the united efforts Of those
who obey the divine Injunction, I'm the
sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread"
Therefore we nave formed the Order OF
Knights of Labor, for the purpose OF organix-
ing and directing the power Of the industrial
masses, not as political party, for 1t is more
in 1t are crystalIzed sentiments and meas
ures for the benefit Of the whole people, but
II should be borne in mind, when exertising
the right Of suffrage. that most o. t1e IN 20 op5ec!s
legislation and that 1t Is the duty OF all to as
sist in nominating and supporting with their
votes only such candidates as Will pledge
their support TO those measures, regardless OF
party. But no one snail, however. 6e COM
upon all who believe In securing "the greatest
good TO the greatest number" TO Join and as.
sist us, we declare to the world that our aims
are:
l. To make industrial and moral worth. not
wealth, the true standard OF individual and
National greatness
II. To secure to the workers the full enjoy
ment of the wealth they create, sufficient
leisure in which to develop their Intellectual,
moral and social faculties: all Of the benefits,
recreatfon and pleasures OF association: In
word, TO enable them to share In the gains
and honors of advancing civilization.
In order to secure these results, we demand
Of the STATE:
III. The establishment of Bureaus Of Labor
Statistics. that we may arrive at a correct
knowledge Of the educational, moral and f.
nancial condition Of the laboring masses. !.
Nv. That the public lands, the heritage OF
the people, be reserved for actual settlers; not
another acre for railroads or spectators, and
that all lands now held for speculative pur-
poses be taxed 10 their full value.
V. The abrogatiOn OF all laws that do not
bear equally upon capital and labor, and the
removal of unjust technicalities. delays and
determinations In the administration OF
Justice. ~ ffef
vi. The adoption OF measures providing
for the health and safety OF those engaged In
mining, manufacturing and building indus.
tries, and for orindemnifcati0n 70 those engaged
therein for injuries received through lack Of
necessary safeguards.
VII The recognition by Incorporation, Of
trades, unions, orders, and such other associa-
tions as may be organized BY the working
masses to improve their condition and pro-
tect their rights. .tlt
VIII. The enactment Of laws to compel
corporations to pay their employees weekly.
in lawful money, for the labor Of the preced-
Ing week, and giving mechanics and lAborers
u first len upon the product OF their labor 70
the extent OF their full wages.
TX. The abolition Of the contract system on
National, State and Municipal works.
X. The enactment Of laws providing for ar
bitration between employer and employed.
XI. The prohibition by law OF the employ
ment OF children under Is years Of nge In
workshops, mines and factories.
XII. To prohibit the hiring out OF convict
XIII. That graduated income tax be
And we demand at the hands Of CsrsREss:
XIV. The establishment Of . National m0u-
etary system. in which circulating medium
in necessary quantity shall issue direct TO the
people, without the Intervention Of banks:
that ali the National issue shall be full legal
tender in payment Of all debts. public and
private: and that the Government shall not
guarantee or recognize any private banks, or
create any banking corporations. t
XIV. That interest bearing bonds. bills of
Government, but that. when need arises, the
emergency shall be met by issue Of legal ten
der, non-interestb bearing money.
XVI. That the importation OF foreign labor
under contract be prohibited.
XVII. That, in connection with the post
ONCE, the Government onall organize unon
cial exchanges, safe deposits and facilities for
deposit OF the savings Of the people IN small
sums.
XVIII. That the Government shall obtain
possession, by purchase, under thp r1ghts OF
eminent domain, Of al telegnphs, telephones
and railroads, and that hereafter no charter
or license be issued to any corporation for
construction or operation OF any means Of
Transporting intelligence, passengers q
freight. ~ a..4r-. lsI
And while making the foregoing demands
upon the State and National Government, We
will endeavor TO associate our own Ilabon:
XIX. To establish cooperative Institution
such as will tend TO supercede the wAge sys.
tenn. by the Introduction Of co-operaxfve In
dustrial system. i.t.,s H.,
Xxx. To secure for both sexes equal pay for
equal work. -rE fAe tfi
XXI. To shorten the hours Of labor BY
general refusal TO work for more than eight |
hours. l
XXI. To pursuade employers 10 agree to |
arbitrate all differences which may arise b. |
tween them and their employees. in order |
that the bonds Of sympathy between them |
may be strengthened and that kesmAy BE- |
rendered unnecessary